Message/Devotion
March 1, 2020
Matthew 17:1-9
1 Samuel 28:1-8
Are You Seeking A Mountain Top Experience?
Choose Your Mountain Wisely!
The Reading
Jesus Transfigured on the Mount
17 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, [a]let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” Matthew 17:7-9
Saul Visits the Witch on Mount Endor
3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the spiritists out of the land.
4 Then the Philistines gathered together and came and encamped at Shunem. So, Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets.
7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.”
And his servants said to him, “In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor.”
8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Please conduct a séance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you.”
1 Samuel 28:1-8
The Message
In our last message, we were enlightened with the understanding that a transformation must occur prior to experiencing a transfiguration. We also came to understand that until we ourselves ascend to heaven, our vision of a transfiguration is limited to our imagination or imagery interpreted by reading and hearing Scripture.
The transfiguration experience is often referred to as “The Mountain Top” experience. Moving from our last message, where we cannot escape the excitement and exuberance of Peter, James and John, let’s be wary of the lure of entrapment before us that beckons us to seek our own mountain top experience, albeit as forbidden as seeking to know the exact time and date of END TIMES.
I wasn’t able to ascertain with certainty whether the transfiguration took place at Mt. Tabor or Mt. Carmel. When the biblical scholars can’t agree, I’m not going to try and solve anything.
If God wanted us to experience the transfiguration as described in Matthew 17, He would surely have said so. As for predicting or knowing the exact time of the END TIME, His Word is clear:
“’But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of [a]heaven, but My Father only.”’ Matthew 24:36
‘“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”’ Mark 13:32
It absolutely doesn’t say so and I admit that I equate this thing about trying to zero in on the exact date and time of the END TIME almost the same as eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.
I choose to make the comparison of Saul visiting the witch on Mt. Endor to seeking a forbidden mountain top experience. It was wrong and Saul knew it was wrong. Otherwise, why did he disguise himself and sneak off in the darkness of night for his mountain top experience? The entire venture was tainted – 1) seeking the service of a medium (fortune teller) - 2) presented himself under false pretenses as being Saul who was deceased – 3) He was trying to f8nd out the outcome of the impending battle with the Philistines. This is a very intriguing account in the historical events of the early days of Israelite journeys and life. I encourage you to sit quietly and read through the Book of 1 Samuel.
Isn’t the prospect of a very joyful reunion with Jesus and all who have gone before us in heaven more appealing than sneaking around and indulging in what we know is forbidden and certain to have a bad outcome eventually?
Let’s stand, join hands and pray – “Almighty God, as we are presented with opportunities for a “mountain top” experience we ask for wisdom to chose godly experiences and avoid worldly and evil mountain top experiences. As we always do, we pray in the name of our Savior Jesus the Christ. AMEN
Let us now go forth loving and serving God by loving and serving each other – EVERY each other.
I humbly and sincerely ask for your prayers!
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